Mechanical Stepper Sleeve for Incremental Fluid Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the resource recovery industry, there is a need to control the flow of fluid through tubulars to regulate the amount of fluid transported from a formation to the surface effectively.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical stepper system is employed, featuring a housing with a stepper sleeve and an insert with protrusions, where the insert moves incrementally by interacting with stop members of varying diameters, allowing for precise control of fluid flow by altering the diameter of the stop members to restrict or allow fluid passage through the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the insert is moved continuously through the housing, then fluid flow control is achieved, but precise incremental regulation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous motion of the insert is segmented into discrete incremental steps by the stop members. Each stop member engages with the protrusion to define a specific position, dividing the continuous adjustment range into controllable segments that enable precise flow regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop members are designed with varying diameters that allow them to engage and disengage dynamically from the protrusion on the insert. This dynamic interaction enables the system to transition between different incremental positions, providing both precision and adaptability in flow control.
2Ease of operation
If the diameter of stop members is changed to restrict motion, then incremental positioning is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the stepper sleeve (stop members) are given different local qualities through varying diameters. Each stop member has a specific diameter tailored to its positioning function, creating local variations in the structure that enable precise incremental control without requiring complete redesign of the entire assembly.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple stop members with different diameters are used, then incremental motion restriction is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop members with different diameters are nested within the stepper sleeve structure, with each stop member positioned at specific locations along the insert's path. This nesting approach allows multiple precision elements to be integrated into a single manufacturable component, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical stepper and method of incrementally actuating a device. An insert is placed within a housing. The housing has a cavity and a stepper sleeve located within the cavity. The stepper sleeve includes a first stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a first equilibrium diameter and a second stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a second equilibrium diameter less than the first equilibrium diameter. The insert including a first protrusion. The insert moves through the housing, and motion of the insert through the housing is incrementally restricted by changing a diameter of the first stop member and a diameter of the second stop member via the first protrusion.